Group goes big as it calls on proud Stocktonians

STOCKTON - A community group bent on resuscitating Stockton's battered image has taken its message to the streets this week with 20 billboards put up all around town.

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By Scott Smith

recordnet.com

By Scott Smith

Posted Jan. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Scott Smith

Posted Jan. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

STOCKTON - A community group bent on resuscitating Stockton's battered image has taken its message to the streets this week with 20 billboards put up all around town.

Stockton Forward wants your help.

The billboards invite everybody to look up the group's website - stocktonforward.com - where viewers can plug into their network and join the cause.

You can "like" the Facebook page, join its Twitter feed and subscribe to receive notices of upcoming events.

"Stockton Forward is a call to action for all Stocktonians to join the movement," said Roger Salazar, the organization's executive director. "Be proud of our city and help tell our story."

A coalition of business owners and community leaders last year launched the organization amid Stockton's bankruptcy and soaring crime to combat the widespread negative publicity about the city.

They want to change the narrative about a failed city to one focusing on the thousands of people in Stockton who are thriving.

They hope to steer out-of-town reporters toward the good things in Stockton.

Pam Eibeck, president of University of the Pacific, and Fritz Grupe, CEO of the Grupe Companies, founded the organization along with Dea Spanos Berberian, executive vice president at A.G. Spanos Companies, among other local movers and shakers.

Stockton Forward lent a hand in December sprucing up the outside of City Hall. They're planning a second community meeting, but no date has been set, spokeswoman Ashley Robinson said.

This week, they're gluing up billboards to spread the word that they're here.

"We are excited about this next step in Stockton Forward's efforts to get the community engaged," Salazar said. "We want to reach out even further and get everyone on board."